Essentials 201
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Essentials 201
Essentials 201
Countdown - 5-minutes prior to event start.
Welcome & Prayer - 2-minutes.
Table Discussion - 8-minutes -
Tell us your name & immediate family.
What you do for a living.
Something interesting about yourself.
How you heard about First Assembly of God?
Tell us about how you started or restarted your relationship with Jesus?
Whether you’re new to our church or you’ve been coming for a while, Go Deeper events are simple next steps for you to get connected and involved here at First Assembly of God. Think of Go Deeper as the official growth & membership track at our church.
Today we’re going to complete Essential 201. Essentials 201 is the second of 4 consecutive events held each month and provides a road-map for spiritual growth and is an overview of small groups.
Event Objectives
Event Objectives
Explore 3 essential habits of every Christian.
Explore 3 essential habits of every Christian.
Understand the 5 spokes of personal growth.
Understand the 5 spokes of personal growth.
Provide an overview of how to connect in a group.
Provide an overview of how to connect in a group.
The Bible provides us with 3 practices that are essential in the life of a Christian. They help us connect with God and His purposes for our life.
PRACTICE ONE: BIBLE STUDY
PRACTICE ONE: BIBLE STUDY
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
HOW DO I GET MORE FROM MY BIBLE?
HOW DO I GET MORE FROM MY BIBLE?
1. I must accept it’s authority.
1. I must accept it’s authority.
We believe that the Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant.
We believe that the Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant. We believe and hold to the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
2. I must absorb its truths.
2. I must absorb its truths.
Hearing God’s Word.
Hearing God’s Word.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Reading God’s Word.
Reading God’s Word.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Meditating on God’s Word.
Meditating on God’s Word.
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
3. I must apply its principles.
3. I must apply its principles.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
PRACTICE TWO: TALKING WITH GOD
PRACTICE TWO: TALKING WITH GOD
Jesus exemplified a personal relationship with God through prayer that gave Him great strength. Every person who has ever been effective in service for God has developed this habit. The only way to be a healthy Christian is to spend time with God daily through prayer.
Use the model Jesus gave us.
Use the model Jesus gave us.
Luke 11:1
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:
1. Connect with God relationally. “Our Father in heaven”
1. Connect with God relationally. “Our Father in heaven”
2. Worship His Name.
“Hallowed be your name”
2. Worship His Name.
“Hallowed be your name”
3. Pray His Will first. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”
3. Pray His Will first. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”
4. Depend on Him for everything.
“Give us today our daily bread”
4. Depend on Him for everything.
“Give us today our daily bread”
5. Keep your heart right with God and people.
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”
5. Keep your heart right with God and people.
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”
6. Take your stand against the enemy. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
6. Take your stand against the enemy. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
7. Have faith in God’s ability.
“For your is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
7. Have faith in God’s ability.
“For your is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
PRACTICE THREE: GIVING OURSELVES
PRACTICE THREE: GIVING OURSELVES
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The Gospel is the ultimate demonstration of God’s generous nature towards mankind. The Bible consistently teaches that God blesses us so that we may bless others.
AREAS OF GIVING
AREAS OF GIVING
1. Give of our time.
1. Give of our time.
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
2. Give of our talents.
2. Give of our talents.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
3. Give of our treasure.
3. Give of our treasure.
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
BENEFITS OF GIVING
BENEFITS OF GIVING
1. Giving draws us closer to God.
1. Giving draws us closer to God.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
2. Giving is the remedy to materialism.
2. Giving is the remedy to materialism.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
3. Giving strengthens our faith. ,
3. Giving strengthens our faith. ,
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
4. Giving is an investment in eternity.
4. Giving is an investment in eternity.
to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
Table Discussion - 8-minutes - Tell us about how you started or restarted your relationship with Jesus.
STUDY GUIDE - SEGMENT 2
STUDY GUIDE - SEGMENT 2
When even on of the major areas of life is not functioning the way God intended, all of life can break down.
There are five important spokes, or life areas, where you can live your purpose. If your purpose does not shape each of these five areas, your life will be unstable.
SPOKE 1: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
SPOKE 1: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Where are you, right now, in your relationship with God?
Hot: You are growing.
Hot: You are growing.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Your faith is growing more and more, and the love each of you have for each other is increasing.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Cold: You do not know God yet.
Cold: You do not know God yet.
He who sent me is true. You do know know [God], but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.
Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”
Lukewarm: You are drifting.
Lukewarm: You are drifting.
We must pay careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Some ways to experience God more in your daily life are:
Read His Word daily
Make prayer a bigger part of your life
Fasting
Serving in church
Join a small group of believers
Find a mentor, someone who can disciple you as you follow Christ
SPOKE 2: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE
SPOKE 2: YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE
Relationships on Purpose: Four Questions
What relationship needs to be Initiated? God want us to do life together, in teams. We all need others for support, encouragement, and accountability. Who is missing for you? You have to look for these relationships. Don’t wait for them to come to you!
What relationship needs to be Nurtured? Is there a priority relationship in your life that is not where it is supposed to be?
What relationship needs to be Restored? Is there a relationship that is broken, damaged, and not where it should be? Restoration is not always easy, but it is worth it. The pain of an unresolved relationship is greater than the pain of confrontation.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
4. What relationship needs to be Severed? There may be times when you have to distance yourself from bad company.
SPOKE 3: YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE
SPOKE 3: YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE
Your finances deeply impact your ability to live out your Purpose. Two Essential Financial Questions to Ask Yourself
What is your financial Vision?
1 year from now?
5 years from now?
10 years from now?
2. What is your financial plan?
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
When you fail to plan, you plan to fail! With financial vision and plan, your finances can end up somewhere on purpose.
SPOKE 4: YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE
SPOKE 4: YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE
1 Corinthians
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Are you honoring God with the temple of the Holy Spirit? Ask yourself:
Are you honoring God with the temple of the Holy Spirit? Ask yourself:
1. How are you feeding your body? How can you feed your body in a better way?
1. How are you feeding your body? How can you feed your body in a better way?
2. How are you exercising your body? How can you exercise more consistently and effectively?
2. How are you exercising your body? How can you exercise more consistently and effectively?
3. How well do you rest your body? What steps can you take to ensure your body gets the quality rest it needs?
3. How well do you rest your body? What steps can you take to ensure your body gets the quality rest it needs?
How well do you rest your body? What steps can you take to ensure your body gets the quality rest it needs?
Are there any addictions you need to confess to God? How can you seek accountability for your addictions?
4. Are there any addictions you need to confess to God? How can you seek accountability for your addictions?
4. Are there any addictions you need to confess to God? How can you seek accountability for your addictions?
Many people are shortsighted when it comes to their health!
Many people are shortsighted when it comes to their health!
Sun tan today = Skin cancer tomorrow
Super-size meal today = Super-size belly tomorrow
Beer today = Beer belly tomorrow
Smoking today = Lung cancer tomorrow.
A healthy body will move and equip you to live out God’s Purpose for your Life!
SPOKE 5: YOUR WORK LIFE
SPOKE 5: YOUR WORK LIFE
Your work life is whatever you do with our waking hours.
The Lie:
A job is simply a way to pay the bills.
The Reality:
Your job can be a reflection of your deepest Purpose! If not, it still can and should offer you the freedom to pursue your Purpose!
Before you were ever born, God had His divine assignments for you. Your gifts, values and experiences all point to that assignment!
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Are you doing the work God wants you to do? Yes or No
If your response was yes, celebrate and elevate!
Celebrate - Have a party with God. Thank Him for giving you your Purpose!
Elevate - Take your work to the next level.
If your response was no, this may be a great spoke to focus on!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Whatever you are doing at this moment, do it for Him. Do it with the best attitude He can give you. Do it with everything in you. Don’t hold back.
STUDY GUIDE - Segment 3
STUDY GUIDE - Segment 3
SMALL GROUPS
SMALL GROUPS
SMALL GROUPS
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
God never intended for us to go through life alone. Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of being a community. In fact, authentic life-change happens in the context of relationships.
At First Assembly of God, we believe our church must grow LARGER and SMALLER at the same time.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-47
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
How can our church grow larger and maintain close relationships?
How can our church grow larger and maintain close relationships?
Every member needs to be a part of a group.
Every member needs to be a part of a group.
WHY ARE GROUPS IMPORTANT?
WHY ARE GROUPS IMPORTANT?
Groups provide opportunities for:
1. Bible Study. I need people to strengthen and balance the Word of God in my life.
1. Bible Study.
I need people to strengthen and balance the Word of God in my life.
1. Bible Study.
I need people to strengthen and balance the Word of God in my life.
Deeper Relationships. I need people who really know me.
2. Deeper Relationships.
I need people who really know me.
2. Deeper Relationships.
I need people who really know me.
Prayer. I need people to pray for me personally.
3. Prayer.
I need people to pray for me personally.
3. Prayer.
I need people to pray for me personally.
Support. I need people who will protect me.
4. Support.
I need people who will protect me.
4. Support.
I need people who will protect me.
5. Ministry.
I need people with whom I can share my story.
5. Ministry.
I need people with whom I can share my story.
Ministry. I need people with whom I can share my story.
John 13:
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
HOW DO I GET CONNECTED WITH A GROUP?
HOW DO I GET CONNECTED WITH A GROUP?
1. Find or start a group.
Find a group online at www.lathropag.org/groups or ask a friend.
Contact the Leader.
Attend Group Leader Training and start your own group.
1. Find or start a group.
Find a group online at www.lathropag.org/groups or ask a friend.
Contact the Leader.
Attend Group Leader Training and start your own group.
2. Commit for a season.
New groups start four semesters each year: spring, summer, fall and winter. Most groups are open to new members throughout the semester.
2. Commit for a season.
New groups start four semesters each year: spring, summer, fall and winter. Most groups are open to new members throughout the semester.
Commit for a season.
New groups start four semesters each year: spring, summer, fall and winter. Most groups are open to new members throughout the semester.
3. Experience a life change. You’ll never fully experience all that First Assembly of God has to offer until you connect in a small group! Groups were vital to the first century church’s growth and they are just as vital now.
3. Experience a life change. You’ll never fully experience all that First Assembly of God has to offer until you connect in a small group! Groups were vital to the first century church’s growth and they are just as vital now.
Experience a life change. You’ll never fully experience all that First Assembly of God has to offer until you connect in a small group! Groups were vital to the first century church’s growth and they are just as vital now.
Next Steps
Find or start a group
Join a “Foundations” Small Group Online
Invite someone to church
Start giving your time, talent & treasure
Attend Purpose 301